HGF-MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Germany
HGF-MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Department of Biology, HADAL Centre, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
HGF-MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Germany
HGF-MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Biologically available (fixed) nitrogen (N) is a limiting nutrient for life in the ocean. Under low-oxygen conditions, fixed N is either removed via denitrification or retained via dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA). Using in situ incubations in the Santa Barbara Basin, which undergoes seasonal anoxia, we found that benthic denitrification was the dominant nitrate reduction process, while nitrate availability and organic carbon content control the relative importance of DNRA.
Biologically available (fixed) nitrogen (N) is a limiting nutrient for life in the ocean. Under...